Elia Beach

Elia Beach

Sun-seekers flock to Elia Beach time and time again and it’s easy to see why.

Surrounded by steep hills dropping dramatically into shimmering turquoise water, Elia Beach offers unforgettable views and a chance to take a dip off one of Greece’s most beautiful coastlines. And thanks to its larger size, this fabulous destination is more peaceful and less crowded than other popular Mykonos beaches like Super Paradise or Psarou.

All kinds of people enjoy spending time at Elia Beach, from celebrities and families to newlyweds and the LGBTQ community. Oh, and if swimsuits aren’t your thing, there’s a separate nudist area on the western side of the beach.

After you’ve chosen your spot on the beach, pull up a sun lounger and watch the gentle crashing of the waves as you sip on your favourite summer spritz. There’s lots of fun for children on Elia Beach too, including a mini playground where they can work up an appetite just in time for lunch.

Island retreats should be all about eating fresh fish and crisp salads, especially when the sun is beaming. At Elia Beach Restaurant, you can enjoy chargrilled chicken salad and the most succulent prawns. Fans of sushi will want to visit the Myconian Imperial Resort, which as well as its superb seafood, features stunning sea views.

Once you’ve spent the day al fresco dining, building sandcastles, wakeboarding and bobbing up and down in dreamy blue waters, rinse off at the beachside shower and make your way back up to the party in Hora.

Famous for its nightlife, the city is full of lively clubs and bars, so get your dancing shoes on. Start your evening at Montparnasse – The Piano Bar for cocktails at sunset and then get your groove on at @54 in Taxi Square (be prepared to stay up for a late happy hour at 2am).

For the morning after, there’s nothing like a hearty Greek breakfast at local institution Madoupas, which serves generous helpings of wholegrain bread, houmous and grilled oyster mushrooms. You’ll then be all set to enjoy the easy-going charm of white-and-blue Hora during the day.

The cobbled streets are lined with luxury fashion and jewellery stores, sitting alongside more traditional handicraft shops. And don’t miss the fine Rarity Gallery, which displays exceptional modern artworks in a compact, elegant space.

For more culture, visit Kato Milli, the island’s unique 16th century windmills, or stop by the even older Panagia Paraportiani, a chalk-white church made up of five separate chapels that’s irresistibly photogenic against the bright blue sky.

And of course, if you want to spend even more time relaxing, Elia Beach is close by, where you can quite easily spend your time basking, bathing and gazing out at the sparkling Aegean Sea.